Every 60 seconds someone in Canada needs blood, that's why the Saskatchewan Roughriders are helping to tackle the need for blood with Bleed Green.
Season five of Bleed Green kicked-off today at Roughrider training camp on the University of Saskatchewan football field.
Bleed Green is a season-long partnership between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Canadian Blood Services that encourages fans across the province to share their Rider Pride by donating blood. Since 2010, Bleed Green has brought more than in 7,000 blood donations. That's enough blood to help 1,400 Canadians who needed blood for cancer treatment.
"We have the best football fans in the country - always there to cheer us on. Bleed Green is our opportunity to root for you. For local patients, for loved ones who may need blood in future and for the community we are proud to be part of," says Jim Hopson, President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club.
Every month, Canadian Blood Services needs to collect more than 4,000 blood donations in Saskatchewan to help local patients like Cadence and Cohen Haaland. Cadence and Cohen are living with a condition called congenital agammagloblinemia and rely on blood donors to help them survive. They were on hand to share their story at this year's kick-off event.
"With monthly treatments, these two active boys lead a fairly normal life." said their mom Carissa " We are forever grateful to Canadian Blood Services and the generous donors that make this possible".
To Bleed Green, fans can attend any Saskatchewan blood donor clinic during the regular season and enter to win a chance to be a flag bearer at a Roughrider home game. Anyone who visits a blood donor clinic during the campaign can fill out a ballot and enter to win; no donation is necessary.
Fans also have a chance to win a grand prize consisting of sideline passes, Pilsner Place box seats, and a full player experience package at the final home game. Ballots for this prize will only be available at the Rider Store and at the Canadian Blood Services tent when it is set up at community events.
Bleed Green runs until October 30, 2014. To find a clinic in Saskatchewan nearest you and to book an appointment, log on to www.blood.ca download our GiveBlood app or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
